14/2/2021 [Sunday Message] www.lifechurchmissions.com

Title: Is love sacred, but marriage just ceremonial? <Gen 2:18, 24; 15:9-11,17-18; 1 Co 7:26, 29-32; 7:3-4; Amos 3:3; 2 Co 6:14; 2 Pe 3:18>

1. The reality of marriage and love

1) Even with danger signals, marriage does not go as planned (marital failures) because there is no clear stated plan

2) God's original plan: marriage covenant (not love first) is sacred and of divine origin (not purely a human institution).

Read:<Gen 2:18, 24>

18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

(1) Human are created to be social and sexual beings

Read: <Gen 15:9-11, 17-18>

9 So the Lord said to him, “Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.”

10 Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half.

11 Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.

17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces.

18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates—

(2) A study of holy covenant: established by death, valid for lifetime

(3) Submission to God’s design must be total and wholehearted

2. What should getting attached or marriage look like?

1) Putting God first amidst all relationships, and getting perspectives of all elements of life

Read: <1 Co 7:26, 29-32>

26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.

29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;

30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep;

31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.

(1) Material possessions

(2) Pursuit of pleasure

(3) Dealing with death and loss

(4) Impact of eternity

2) Considering serving in the case of singlehood, marriage and family.

Read: <1 Co 7:3-4>

3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.

4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.

3) With many opportunities and dangers, it is better to seek advice and have realistic expectations

3. How does marriage and love happen?

1) Spiritual and emotional factors make marriage sweeter as the years go by

Read: <Amos 3:3; 2 Co 6:14; 2 Pe 3:18>

3 Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

2) What and whom would God make me yearn and seek for?

- With Christ: commitment to grow - personal trust

- Character: obvious integrity - deeper beauty

- Role: leading - helping

- Expressing: sacrifice - compassion

- Wisdom: genuine humility - build trustworthiness of the other

- Gracious in pulling through difficulties: overlook small mistakes - braving hardships

3) Finding such a mate in church? Can I deal with sexual feelings and loneliness?